This is my third baby and I'm being made to feel by HV that I don't know what I'm doing and I'm beginning to think it's true. My baby is not easy. I BF and he still feeds round the clock on demand- he doesn't nap- has never done- An will cat nap whilst feeding in the day- usually just once or twice. He wouldn't go down for the night either unless I was there but I'm sleep training and things are better there.

So now the main issues- he hates being put down. He doesn't roll, crawl or sit without support. HV are telling me that I need to give him more tummy time and to ply with him more- I should be aiming for 10 lots of tummy times each day. I admit I don't play with him all day but that's because I still have my older two to attend to, my middle child is still home as she's only 2yrs old.

Eating- he is having allergic reactions to dairy but I know it's not as severe as it can be, however it's still there and he hates eating. He is not putting in the weight- he hasn't gained any in the last 2 weeks and HV are telling me I need to stop BF so he eats and to give him things such as rice puddings and custard. They laughed at me when I said I don't give these because firstly it has added sugar and secondly, its dairy. I'm waiting for dieticians appointment but the HV don't feel that I should be avoiding dairy because the allergic reactions are not extreme.

I feel awful and had to hold back my tears!

I'm sorry your HV isn't being diplomatic, it could be out of concern but she shouldn't be making you feel that awful.

I hear you on not having the easiest baby, my 4½ month old son is difficult to get to nap and it can take 30-40 minutes. I don't know much about sleep training yet as I'm a FTM and haven't done very much yet but hope it soon works for you.

My HV (what equals one here) is also really into tummy time but my son will half the time refuse. I asked her what to do and she suggested either trying to lay him on his side or try again a bit later. I've found he'll sometimes be more receptive to doing it on me so if you can maybe try that, even if it's only for a few minutes? 10 lots sounds a bit excessive though, I don't get my son to do it that much and he's still doing well, at least for the time being. As for playing I can see how that might be difficult with a 2 year old, don't know if you could somehow have her involved in the play? Don't know much about children (yet!) so may be a totally stupid suggestion and she's not able to do that but just something I thought of

As for eating, I'm about to start my son tomorrow actually with a thin porridge in the morning and some gruel at night to start as my milk isn't enough for him anymore. He has eczema so has the potential to develop allergic reactions. I'll be making my own porridges and gruel and using powdered formula most of the time to make them although I think you can also use your own milk if you want. My HV told me to use a powdered formula called Nestle Nan HA, don't know if you can get it where you are or if that'd be an option? It's supposed to be good to avoid a potential allergic reaction to dairy so hypoallergenic. I hear you on the store bought stuff, my HV told me to avoid it and only use in emergency situations because of all the sugar. But I don't know if you have the option to make your own food for him? My HV said that I can make enough for 2-3 days if it's easier and just store it although to not add the Nan HA formula until right before warming it and serving it to him.

I hope I've helped in some way And don't feel bad, I'm sure you're doing fine and the best you can for your son!

Btw is your 2 year old in some form of daycare? If not it may be worth doing for a few hours so you have those hours to concentrate on your son with playing and giving tummy time.

Hi, sorry to butt in on someone else's thread - I would hate for you to think your milk wasn't enough! Your baby is probably just having a growth spurt. Also, make sure to check if the porridge you will be making doesn't have gluten, it's not recommended for babies under 6 months

This is my third baby and I'm being made to feel by HV that I don't know what I'm doing and I'm beginning to think it's true. My baby is not easy. I BF and he still feeds round the clock on demand- he doesn't nap- has never done- An will cat nap whilst feeding in the day- usually just once or twice. He wouldn't go down for the night either unless I was there but I'm sleep training and things are better there.

So now the main issues- he hates being put down. He doesn't roll, crawl or sit without support. HV are telling me that I need to give him more tummy time and to ply with him more- I should be aiming for 10 lots of tummy times each day. I admit I don't play with him all day but that's because I still have my older two to attend to, my middle child is still home as she's only 2yrs old.

Eating- he is having allergic reactions to dairy but I know it's not as severe as it can be, however it's still there and he hates eating. He is not putting in the weight- he hasn't gained any in the last 2 weeks and HV are telling me I need to stop BF so he eats and to give him things such as rice puddings and custard. They laughed at me when I said I don't give these because firstly it has added sugar and secondly, its dairy. I'm waiting for dieticians appointment but the HV don't feel that I should be avoiding dairy because the allergic reactions are not extreme.

I feel awful and had to hold back my tears!

I'm sorry your HV isn't being diplomatic, it could be out of concern but she shouldn't be making you feel that awful.

I hear you on not having the easiest baby, my 4½ month old son is difficult to get to nap and it can take 30-40 minutes. I don't know much about sleep training yet as I'm a FTM and haven't done very much yet but hope it soon works for you.

My HV (what equals one here) is also really into tummy time but my son will half the time refuse. I asked her what to do and she suggested either trying to lay him on his side or try again a bit later. I've found he'll sometimes be more receptive to doing it on me so if you can maybe try that, even if it's only for a few minutes? 10 lots sounds a bit excessive though, I don't get my son to do it that much and he's still doing well, at least for the time being. As for playing I can see how that might be difficult with a 2 year old, don't know if you could somehow have her involved in the play? Don't know much about children (yet!) so may be a totally stupid suggestion and she's not able to do that but just something I thought of

As for eating, I'm about to start my son tomorrow actually with a thin porridge in the morning and some gruel at night to start as my milk isn't enough for him anymore. He has eczema so has the potential to develop allergic reactions. I'll be making my own porridges and gruel and using powdered formula most of the time to make them although I think you can also use your own milk if you want. My HV told me to use a powdered formula called Nestle Nan HA, don't know if you can get it where you are or if that'd be an option? It's supposed to be good to avoid a potential allergic reaction to dairy so hypoallergenic. I hear you on the store bought stuff, my HV told me to avoid it and only use in emergency situations because of all the sugar. But I don't know if you have the option to make your own food for him? My HV said that I can make enough for 2-3 days if it's easier and just store it although to not add the Nan HA formula until right before warming it and serving it to him.

I hope I've helped in some way And don't feel bad, I'm sure you're doing fine and the best you can for your son!

Btw is your 2 year old in some form of daycare? If not it may be worth doing for a few hours so you have those hours to concentrate on your son with playing and giving tummy time.

Hi, sorry to butt in on someone else's thread - I would hate for you to think your milk wasn't enough! Your baby is probably just having a growth spurt. Also, make sure to check if the porridge you will be making doesn't have gluten, it's not recommended for babies under 6 months

Problem is he's gone down a weight curve at his last 2 weigh ins and you can tell he's not as plump as he used to be. Unfortunately some babies do need to start eating a bit sooner than the 6 month mark and he's 4.5 months so it's not like this is super early. I'm making everything from scratch so there's no issues with the ingredients.

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